So I have decided to upgrade my Pioneer 5080 to a 5020. I competely forgot about my past dirty screen effects issues and am now a little worried the new set will have them. Long story short, I started out with the 4280 about a year and a half ago. It had pretty bad dirty screen effect. It started to bother me as I would notice it any time the camera panned during light colored scenes. I decided to sell it a year ago and bought the 5080. That set was completely free of dirty screen effect (if it did have it I couldn't tell ). I have read a few posts about users with the 9G panels reporting the same dirty screen issues. I though Pioneer would of fixed this issue? I know at the time they told me it was normal even though my friends 4280 (and my 5080 after that) was completely clean screen wise. Anyone notice this or is it a small issue on certain sets? I am half tempted to consider a Panasonic 50PZ800u (the Pioneer set won't ship until this morning so I could still cancel/change the order) but I originally bought the Pioneer for the orbiter feature for games (No IR ever on either pioneer I have owned) and the black levels. My friend has the 50PZ800u and it is a great set but IR takes a few minutes to a few hours to get rid of even after just 30 seconds of a static image. I know it does go away but I guess I have been spoiled by the Pioneer's. As a person that has dealt with "dirty screen effect" in the past, I know that a bad case of it makes it VERY hard to enjoy the set. At the same time I know every set including the Panasonic's have their quirks and issues that simply can't be fixed. Maybe I am worrying about nothing and just a little to paranoid . Thanks in advance everyone!

As someone who owns both an 800U (46") and a 9G Elite, I can tell you that the Pioneer has a lot better picture. The 800U is quite good but the Elite is another level up from that. I have had no evidence of the "dirty screen effect" on my Elite, which I have had since August of 2008.

I will never go back to LCD. I got tired of dealing with clouds, flashlighting, etc. on every set I tried including the high end Sony XBR's. I think that Pioneer makes the best plasma's but they are pricey. Of course with the recent price drop the 5020 can be found at some places for the same price or less than the 800u. I do know the dirty screen was in the 8g's and is talked about quite a bit in the 9g's on the avforums in the UK. When I had my issue with my 4280 that forum was the only one really reporting about this issue so I hung out there to get more info. I am getting it from a forum sponsor so I will have 14 days to inspect it in case I have issues. I am a big gamer so for me the Pioneer made the most sense when I purchased it.

As someone who owns both an 800U (46") and a 9G Elite, I can tell you that the Pioneer has a lot better picture. The 800U is quite good but the Elite is another level up from that. I have had no evidence of the "dirty screen effect" on my Elite, which I have had since August of 2008.

Likewise, I have had my Elite since October 2007 (PRO-150FD) and I am very happy with the picture. I must say that I have no idea what this "dirty screen effect" even is!

I could see what people are talking about with that "effect" but then took D-Nice's advice and actually "washed" the screen with distilled water and a microfibre cloth and took off all the gunk that was on there. There was actually a pretty good layer of "oily" residue on there and now the "effect" is gone.

I bought a 9G Elite and I'm suffering from the same thing. The dirty cloudy haze on the screen is particulatily noticeable in video games where a lot of panning against solid colors is done. Even in some movies you can see the effect.

Anyways, the reason I'm asking is that in about 10 days my return period is up. My set buzzes as well so I'm wondering if I should think about returning the set for a different one. Ideally, I get a set with no buzz and a completely uniform screen. Worst case, I get one that's even worse!

I bought a 9G Elite and I'm suffering from the same thing. The dirty cloudy haze on the screen is particulatily noticeable in video games where a lot of panning against solid colors is done. Even in some movies you can see the effect.

Anyways, the reason I'm asking is that in about 10 days my return period is up. My set buzzes as well so I'm wondering if I should think about returning the set for a different one. Ideally, I get a set with no buzz and a completely uniform screen. Worst case, I get one that's even worse!

What do you folks think I should do? Is it worth taking the chance?

I think if it bothers you that much send it back. I have a feeling this issue goes a litle deeper than just the odd set here and there.

My 9G 151 is simply flawless. I have had it for 3 months today and I STILL can't get over how awesome the picture is. Watched House HD last nite, damn 13 was looking so fine felt like she was in the room with me.

It will be delivered this week. I'm hoping this is not as common as I have a feeling that it is so I'm being positive.

It has been reported by some people but it is not that common. It has also been reported that it tends to go away over time (usually within a couple of hundred hours of use) with most sets. There have been a few sets with defects where this is not the case.

It has been reported by some people but it is not that common. It has also been reported that it tends to go away over time (usually within a couple of hundred hours of use) with most sets. There have been a few sets with defects where this is not the case.

Good because I can't wat to get my replacment unit. The defects in my TV are in the glass and will not go away.

It has been reported by some people but it is not that common. It has also been reported that it tends to go away over time (usually within a couple of hundred hours of use) with most sets. There have been a few sets with defects where this is not the case.

This improvement is simply because the initial burn off period of the phosphors has transpired.

The image rendered by any PDP will improve after the first 200 - 300 hours of operation once the phosphors have some time to wear in.

My understanding is that phosphor wear is fastest when new and then at a very gradual pace after the break in period, which is why the image rendered by a PDP improves with short term use of the display.

I wonder if any owners of the 141 monitor had seen this "dirty screen effect." I know I didn't on mine. This could be explained by the 100 hour factory break-in period or it could be because of their elevated QC process on the Signatures or it could be simply because of a smaller statistical sampling of the problem.

"Plasma TV ... so called because in order to afford one, you're going to have to sell your blood." -- Ed Helms, The Daily Show.

I could see what people are talking about with that "effect" but then took D-Nice's advice and actually "washed" the screen with distilled water and a microfibre cloth and took off all the gunk that was on there. There was actually a pretty good layer of "oily" residue on there and now the "effect" is gone.

What exactly is distilled water? I know it is probably a dumb question. Would this be like bottle water? I realize distilled water is removed of chemicals etc. I have the microfiber cloth that came with the Kuro. Would I just dip the microfiber cloth in the water and then ring it out and then wash the screen? Any special way I would need to wash it or dry it? Would I "air" dry it?

Well, I called Pioneer and I'm having a tech some by soon. When I mentioned the buzzing issue, they say it's normal. But when I mentioned the dirty/cloudy screen effect, he sounded like he never heard of it.

I'll let you guys know what they say when they swing by.
I'm within my 30 days so I might just replace it.